Since the beginning of time, humans have been trying to simplify their tasks and processes, and concrete delivery is no exception. Queue the phrase “Work smarter, not harder” and its poster child, the invention of Ready Mix Concrete.
As we’ve learned, the many uses of concrete make it one of the most influential building materials responsible for our progress in constructing long-lasting, durable, and sustainable structures. Ready Mix Concrete has revolutionized the way concrete is delivered, unlocking a level of consistency, quality, and efficiency needed to keep up with the demands of modern construction.
Ready Mix Is Born At The Batch Plant
The batch plant is where the magic happens. These environmentally friendly facilities consist of silos, aggregate bins, additive tanks, scales, and Ready Mix trucks. Batch plants receive and store the cement, rocks, sand, and water needed to create quality concrete.
Once a concrete order is placed, an operator measures the precise ingredients needed for your job. The batching process utilizes a computerized system, ensuring accurate measurements and consistency in the mixed concrete delivered to your project. The ingredients and additives are combined in specific proportions according to the project requirements and soil conditions. After the blend is compiled, it is sent through a large central mixer or straight to the transit truck for mixing.
Due to concrete’s quick-forming nature, once the materials are mixed, it is crucial to have them delivered to the job site. Because of this, working with a batch plant close to your project helps reduce delivery times and ensures fresh concrete delivery.
A Lookback on Concrete Delivery Services
Before Ready Mix Concrete, people had to rely on on-site mixing or pushing wheelbarrows for their concrete needs. While on-site mixing still serves its purpose for unique situations, it is far more time-consuming and yields a less consistent product. The invention of concrete mixer trucks and Ready Mix Concrete ensures superior quality and labor efficiency and minimizes overall waste and pollution.
According to the Portland Cement Association, the first reported use of “transit” concrete was in 1909, when a man utilized a horse-drawn mixer with paddles turned by the cart’s wheels to mix the concrete. Four years later, in Baltimore, Maryland, Ready Mix Concrete was delivered via truck for the first time. In 1916, Stephen Stepanian of Columbus, Ohio, created the first self-discharging transit mixer.
Ready Mix Concrete Delivery and Concrete Trucks
You can’t miss today’s Ready Mix Concrete trucks. These large trucks have rotating drums with foldable chutes to discharge the concrete. Transit mixing or shrink-mixing are the most popular methods when delivering Ready Mix Concrete.
Transit Mixing
It’s what it sounds like. Your project’s concrete mix is loaded into the truck’s rotating drum while the drum moves quickly, which is referred to as a “charging” speed. Water is kept separate from the mix and added immediately before use to avoid hardening in transit. This mixing method requires precise planning and is an excellent option for projects requiring a large volume of concrete delivery.
Shrink-Mixed
In this method, your concrete is partially mixed in a plant mixer and then placed into the transit truck to finish the job on its way to the construction site. Shrink-mixing helps increase the truck’s load capacity by shrinking the initial volume of concrete at the plant, reducing concrete truck cost for larger projects.
When Ready Mix Concrete arrives at your site, it is most commonly discharged out of a chute that goes directly into the form location you need. In some instances, such as high-rises, pumped concrete delivery systems are used for hard-to-reach places.
Ready for Ready Mix Concrete Delivery? Contact Us Today!
Now that you understand the delivery process, it’s time to talk about your next project. Ready Mix Concrete is measured in volume, and as the leading Ready Mix supplier in Northern Texas, we have taken the guesswork out of it. Using our concrete calculator, you can determine how much concrete you need for your project.
AMCorp is your trusted Ready Mix Concrete supplier east of Dallas, TX, offering reliable concrete delivery services. Contact AMCorp today to discuss your project or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ready mix concrete delivery cost?
The cost of ready mix concrete delivery depends on your location, order size, and mix type. Factors like distance from the batch plant and any pumping requirements can also affect pricing. Contact AMCorp for a custom concrete delivery quote.
How do I order concrete online?
You can place concrete orders online using AMCorp’s Concrete Calculator to estimate the volume you’ll need. Once you have your order, simply request a quote or schedule delivery directly with our team.
What types of concrete delivery services are available?
AMCorp provides several concrete delivery services, including standard transit truck delivery, shrink-mixed loads, and pumped concrete delivery for projects with hard-to-reach areas.
How long does it take to get concrete delivered after placing an order?
Concrete orders are usually scheduled in advance to ensure timely delivery. Since Ready Mix Concrete begins to set quickly, we coordinate batching and delivery so your concrete truck arrives fresh and on time.
What’s the difference between transit mixing and shrink mixing in concrete delivery?
Transit mixing means the concrete is fully mixed in the truck during transport, while shrink mixing involves partial mixing at the plant and finishing in the truck. Both methods ensure consistent quality, but shrink mixing can reduce concrete truck costs by allowing larger loads.